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Cameron B. drank Sencha Shincha Nuruki by Nio Teas

4321 tasting notes

Nio Teas Advent Calendar 2022 – Day 4

Steeped this one up in my pretty red Tokoname-yaki kyusu instead of lazily using a gravity steeper (like I usually do). ^^’ I followed the steeping instructions provided and used 150ml of 150°F water for 45s, 20s, 20s.

The leaves were quite broken, maybe because of the small sample size. I think because of this, I got a bit more bitterness than is implied by the description. But otherwise it actually tasted a bit like a kabusecha to me, thick in texture and fairly intense in flavor with a good balance of sweetness and rich umami. Smooth vegetal notes of corn and kabocha combined with the freshness of wheatgrass and a touch of apple at the end of the sip. The second and third steeps were more onto the grassy and seaweedy side of things, still with that moderate bitterness in the background.

Not my favorite sencha, but I enjoyed my session this afternoon. :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClwzDnHOFI0/

Flavors: Apple, Bitter, Freshly Cut Grass, Grass, Kabocha, Savory, Seaweed, Silky, Squash, Sweet, Sweet Corn, Thick, Umami, Vegetal, Wheatgrass

Preparation

150 °F / 65 °C 0 min, 45 sec 5 g 5 OZ / 150 ML

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Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- January sipdowns: 34
- Total 2025 sipdowns: 34

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing